As Veteran’s Day approaches, our nation takes time to honor the bravery and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the armed forces. For many, these moments of recognition bring forth memories of service, camaraderie, and sometimes loss. For U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran and Crumley House Cofounder Steve Barrett, these memories are not bound to a single day—they remain vivid and enduring.
Recently, Barrett was among a group of approximately twenty veterans from the Appalachian Highlands region who participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands is a branch of the national Honor Flight Network, a program dedicated to transporting veterans to the nation’s capital to visit the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifice. This journey offered Barrett and his fellow veterans a moment to reflect, remember, and receive long-overdue recognition.
“I was a little bit apprehensive about going at first, but I’m sure glad I did,” Barrett shared. The group spent time visiting Washington’s monuments and memorials, and in a moving tribute, two Korean War veterans led the group in laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. For Barrett, the experience was both an honor and an emotional journey.
“I lost a friend—a high school classmate—almost immediately after we landed in Vietnam,” Barrett recalled. “Memories like that are tough. You know, I came out of Vietnam physically unscathed, but the war and being there stays in your mind forever.”
Since its founding, the Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands has completed over 200 trips, allowing veterans to experience their nation’s gratitude firsthand. Michelle Stewart, president of the organization’s Board of Directors, highlighted the powerful bond that forms during these trips. “We leave on Friday as somewhat strangers, but we come home Sunday as family, intertwined and connected,” she said. “We share laughs and tears. Each Honor Flight mission is special because we focus on honoring these veterans and what it means for them to finally have their day of honor.”
For Steve Barrett, this journey was another chapter in a lifetime of service. After retiring from his military and professional life, Barrett continued his dedication to serving others through his work with The Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center. Alongside his late wife, June Barrett, he was instrumental in founding Crumley House after a tragic car accident left June’s daughter, Lori Beth, with a traumatic brain injury. Today, Barrett continues to support Crumley House as a Board Member, carrying forward a legacy of compassion and commitment to those affected by brain injuries.
As we honor our veterans this year, Steve Barrett’s story reminds us of the resilience and sacrifice embodied by those who served. His journey on the Honor Flight allowed him to reflect, heal, and reconnect with fellow veterans, creating new bonds and honoring old memories. This Veteran’s Day, let us not only remember those who served but also ensure they know they are valued every day.